Active Piston Cooling Nozzle Flow Control for Lower Pumping Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles in internal combustion engines leads to increased oil consumption, pumping losses, and delayed engine warm-up, as cooling fluid is diverted when not needed or during higher priority usage.
Innovation Solution
An actively controlled fluid flow control device is integrated into the piston cooling system, featuring an electronically controllable valve that connects the main fluid supply rifle to the piston cooling nozzle rifle. This valve is controlled by an engine control unit based on engine operating conditions, such as engine speed and torque, to selectively provide or shut off fluid flow to the piston cooling nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles is used, then piston cooling is provided during high engine speeds, but cooling fluid is diverted during low engine speeds causing increased oil consumption and pumping losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control by replacing passive flow control with an actively controlled valve system that responds to real-time engine operating conditions. The valve dynamically adjusts fluid flow to the piston cooling nozzles based on engine speed and temperature sensors, ensuring cooling is provided only when needed while preventing unnecessary fluid diversion during low-speed operation, thereby reducing pumping losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through sensors that monitor engine speed and temperature conditions, feeding this information to the control valve. The valve adjusts fluid flow based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes cooling fluid delivery according to actual engine needs, preventing both overheating and unnecessary oil consumption.
2Temperature
If passive control of fluid flow from piston cooling nozzles is used, then piston cooling is provided during high engine speeds, but engine warm-up is delayed during cold start conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic valve control system adjusts fluid flow based on real-time temperature conditions, preventing cooling fluid diversion during cold start phases while enabling cooling when the engine reaches optimal operating temperature. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the delay in engine warm-up caused by passive control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors provide feedback to the control valve, enabling the system to detect cold start conditions and adjust fluid flow accordingly. The feedback mechanism ensures that cooling is activated only when the engine reaches appropriate operating temperature, preventing warm-up delays while maintaining cooling when needed.
3Temperature
If cooling fluid is diverted to piston cooling nozzles, then piston cooling is provided, but fluid is unavailable for higher priority usage such as cam phaser control
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve dynamically prioritizes fluid distribution based on real-time engine operating conditions and sensor feedback. When cam phaser control requires fluid, the valve adjusts flow distribution to ensure critical components receive adequate lubrication and cooling, preventing reliability issues while maintaining piston cooling when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback control system monitors engine conditions and adjusts fluid flow distribution accordingly, ensuring that higher priority systems such as cam phaser control receive necessary fluid supply. The system balances competing demands for cooling fluid based on real-time sensor data, maintaining reliability across different engine operating modes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to piston cooling nozzles with a fluid flow control device. The fluid flow control device includes a valve that is electronically controlled to open or close a piston cooling nozzle rifle to one or more piston cooling nozzles based on one or more engine operating parameters.